The Inspiration - Jan Van Blarcum

Why Timmy's Tutor?

“It takes a village to raise a child.” The message rings clear and true that children need many types of people in their lives as they journey on their path to adulthood; part of the village are their teachers and how they impact children in everyday life. Parents and teachers work together to coach, teach, and mentor the child through all developmental ages and stages of their life. Sometimes life feels good! Other times, life does not feel so great and that is the time you need your village the most.

Follow up:

It was my wish that with the Timmy’s Tutor comic strip, the wonderful spirit great educators embrace while they super-charge to engage students, would be revealed. Ms. Rita embodies the spirit of how Creative Tutors empowers learning in the one-on-one tutoring environment. Timmy is an endearing child that jumps off the page and takes a life of his own. I hope you will relate to Timmy and his passion for learning.

P is for Positive!

As a person that has battled dyslexia and overcome the challenges to learning that encompass dyslexic learners, it thrills me to share a positive message about learning that pushes back the stereotype of the “old school” tutoring messages. The Timmy’s Tutor comic strip series shares the current message that Learning IS fun! Learning IS cool! Learning IS the path to the future which prepares the next generation to become prepared for the challenges that they will encounter..

Where Do You Get Your Ideas From?

They are a combination of experiences shared by teachers about their students and our collective personal life experiences. In October of 2008 my memory triggered a thought...my nephew, who has grown up to be a wonderful husband and father of four at one time had difficulty staying engaged and focused on learning in the classroom. In his pre-adolescent years he had begged his parents for a rocket kit to build and launch. His enthusiasm took over his state of mind and he proceeded to read the instructions, work to build a rocket, and of course launch the rocket. In all of his excitement he launched the rocket in his bedroom and through the roof! His parents were not too excited about the repair work to his bedroom ceiling but I embraced his creativity and eagerness to learn the physics behind rockets and managed to talk his parents out of grounding him. Today, we all laugh at this family memory. It occurred to me that everyone should embrace the joys that the children we so dearly love create. We plant our hopes and dreams in our children and why not enjoy the journey a little more. Let’s preserve the moments along the way.

What Other Things Have You Done?

There are many relationships in my life that I am proud of! I have been married to my husband for over twenty-three years. We are best friends and when I walk into the room he still looks at me like I am twenty-something! I am the luckiest mom on earth and am proud of our two daughters! The world around me feels balanced with my daughters at my side. The experiences and joys that are connected to parenting girls in an age where girls have unlimited options is a delicate balance and each day I cherish our journey together. There is another delicate balance between family responsibilities and building a business. In 1999 my family began encouraging me on my path as I pursued a personal dream of building a national franchised company, Creative Tutors http://www.creativetutors.com/. There is still a long path ahead of me and the confidence that I have in achieving my dream is a reality because my personal support system runs deep.

Favorite Saying To End On?

"The great thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." B.B. King